The High Performance Podcast

Ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games, Jake and Damian catch up to discuss and share the insights and lessons they’ve learned from years of interviews with legendary Olympians. In this episode, they explore the different types of performance, whether peak, high or optimal, and they discuss how athletes prepare to perform their best during the most critical moments.

Reflecting on conversations with guests like Adam Peaty, Dina Asher-Smith, and Dame Kelly Holmes, they delve into the themes of resilience, dealing with failure, and the importance of trusting the process. 

Listen in as Jake and Damian share their thoughts and be inspired by the dedication and mindset of these elite athletes. Don’t forget to send in questions to [email protected] for a chance to be featured in future episodes!

Listen to the full Olympic episodes: https://thehighperformanceapp.com/collections/6ivpzNvOib2basC4rxFXZ8

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This episode is part of our ‘Experts In Their Field’ mini-series, presented by Salesforce.

In this episode, we welcome Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer for Google X, tech entrepreneur, and author of the best-selling books "Solve for Happy" and "Scary Smart” back to High Performance.

Mo sits down with Damian to discuss innovation, a topic he is deeply passionate about and a leading voice in. Together, they explore how we innovate, how we can define a concept as elusive as innovation, and the common obstacles that hinder productivity and creativity.

Mo shares his insights on the ever-changing goalposts that make us dismiss the present and forget how far we’ve come. He delves into the difference between creativity and innovation, explaining how creating something entirely new differs from improving existing ideas.

Mo also emphasises the importance of a collaborative environment and aligned mission to foster innovation. He shares tips on overcoming the fear of failure, managing organisational resources, and addressing the lack of urgency that often stifles innovation.

This episode was made possible by Salesforce, who value innovation as one of their core-values. With their AI platform Einstein 1, you can combine various AI-powered tools and features under one umbrella to help businesses automate tasks, gain insights, and enhance customer interactions.

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Four-time Olympic Champion Michael Johnson joins us on High Performance to explore the mindset and strategies that propelled him to extraordinary record-breaking athletics success.

Known for his electrifying running style, Michael Johnson made history at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics by becoming the first man to win both the 200 and 400 metres at the same games. In this episode, Michael talks about the importance of having a strong support system and staying grounded in reality.

Michael recounts difficult decisions he faced in his career, including his choice to return a relay gold medal tainted by doping allegations, showcasing his commitment to integrity and fairness in athletics. He also opens up about recently facing a life-threatening stroke, sharing the debilitating impact on his body and his incredible road to recovery.

Michael goes on to share his journey of overcoming self-doubt, the lessons learned from his family and coaches, and his approach to handling pressure and setbacks. He reveals new insights from his experiences on the track, the intricacies of racing, and the mental strategies that helped him become one of the world’s fastest men.

Throughout the episode, Michael underscores the resilience, integrity, and balance necessary to excel in sport and life, offering a glimpse into the mindset of a legendary athlete who’s navigated both triumph and adversity.

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After England's heartbreaking loss at Euro 2024 and Gareth Southgate stepping down as manager, Jake and Damian dive into the highs and lows of the tournament and Southgate's impactful tenure. 

They reflect on the unexpected turn of events throughout the tournament, noting the optimism for England's chances before the final. Jake and Damian discuss how Southgate transformed England's team from the low point of losing to Iceland in 2016 to becoming consistent contenders in major tournaments. They highlight his influence in fostering a culture of high expectations and nurturing a generation of young players proud to represent their country. 

Jake and Damian explore how Southgate's humility and leadership left a lasting impact, showing that success is measured not just by trophies but by positive changes and foundations for the future. Despite not winning a major trophy, he leaves behind a stronger, more hopeful England team.

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In this episode, respected neuroscientist and author Dr. Tara Swart joins Jake to uncover fascinating perspectives about the complex interplay between our brains and bodies.

Tara sheds light on how our constant smartphone use impacts us both mentally and physically, and what we can do to reduce the side effects of technology. She also discusses the impact of stress on weight gain, highlighting why our bodies hold onto fat when we’re stressed.

Exploring how high stress levels affect our brains and bodies, Tara explains the impact of reduced creativity and a weaker immune system. She emphasises the importance of having meaningful social relationships and spending time in nature for better mental and physical health.

Touching on the practical tips from her book, “The Source”, Tara shares insights into how we can achieve High Performance, including using action boards to manifest our goals and the crucial role of nutrition.

This episode provides practical advice on managing stress and enhancing brain health, motivating us all to reconsider our digital habits and lifestyle choices for a healthier future.

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Jake and Damian are joined by Great Britain Olympic medal favourite Keely Hodgkinson, to dive deep into her journey as a middle-distance runner and her mindset as an elite athlete.

Keely Hodgkinson is a rising star in athletics, winning 800m silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics at just 19 years old, before becoming European Champion in June 2024. She shares how she manages nervous energy and the importance of staying relaxed and focused before races at the highest level.

Keely discusses balancing external expectations with staying true to herself, even in high-pressure environments like the Olympic Games. She openly shares her personal challenges following the 2020 Olympics, and highlights the support of her mother in overcoming some of her toughest moments.

Emphasising the crucial role of her coaches in her development, Keely cites their ability to push her to reach her potential whilst balancing a sustainable and positive training environment.

This episode uncovers the journey of Great Britain’s most promising Olympic talents, highlighting the importance of recovery, avoiding burnout and the mental strength required to excel in modern-day athletics.

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In this special episode, Jake and Damian reflect on England’s iconic Euro 2024 journey so far, revealing insights into the work Damian has conducted with the England team as part of their tournament preparations. Damian shares the details behind the conception of England’s penalty shootout ‘buddy’ system, highlighting how the support of other players was critical to creating a safe environment for each penalty taker to succeed. Using moments from our conversations with Ollie Watkins and Gareth Southgate, this episode explores the true mentality of the England squad and their attention to detail throughout their journey to International success.

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Discover profound insights into the workings of the brain and how we can optimise its functions, with this conversation with neurosurgeon and neuroscientist Dr Rahul Jandial.

In this episode, Rahul discusses the dynamic nature of the human brain, comparing neurons to floating jellyfish and highlighting our ever-changing emotional and behavioural states. He explains how understanding brain pathways can help manage anxiety, stress, and emotions, drawing parallels to the challenges faced by astronauts and athletes.

Rahul reflects on his transformative experiences conducting hundreds of brain surgeries, revealing the beauty and complexity of our brains. He also shares how to reach the perfect flow state, where mastery and creativity blend seamlessly, allowing individuals to perform at their peak by trusting their instincts.

Drawing from his extensive experience with patients, Rahul offers a unique perspective on resilience and high performance, urging us to see the brain as an evolving ecosystem capable of constant renewal.

This episode provides a fascinating look into the brain's workings, and offers practical advice on achieving high performance and emotional regulation through understanding our most powerful organ.

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Jake and Damian welcome former footballer Joleon Lescott to High Performance, discussing the highs and lows of his career, the influential people in his life and the challenges he faced on and off the pitch.

Joleon Lescott is best known for his time at clubs including Everton and Manchester City, contributing to City's Premier League triumphs in 2012 and 2014 and earning numerous caps for England.

In this conversation, Joleon opens up about the resilience instilled in him by his parents and the intimidating environment of his early football years. He discusses growing up after a life-changing accident as a child and how football helped him to handle taunts about his scars.

Moving to Manchester City, he talks about his initial reluctance to discuss the transfer and the feeling of stepping into a squad filled with top-tier players. He also recounts his mixed relationship with managers Mark Hughes and Roberto Mancini, and praises coach Glenn Hoddle for getting the best out of him as a player.

Reflecting on Man City’s dramatic Premier League victory in 2012, Joleon expresses his happiness and gratitude in the moments that followed. He also addresses criticism faced by the club since he signed, emphasising the dedication and teamwork behind their success.

This episode provides an unfiltered view to the challenges and triumphs of a Premier League and International footballer, highlighting the significance of perseverance and personal growth both on and off the field.

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In this episode, we revisit a compelling conversation with the new Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer. We explore the man behind the politician, and what he’s learned about leadership throughout his career

Reflecting on his journey from barrister to party leader, Keir opens up to Jake and Damian about his formative years, the challenges of his legal career, and the profound impact of his mother's resilience in his life.

From his passion for football and lessons learned from following Arsenal, to navigating the adversarial world of politics and his vision for reform, Keir shares insights on leadership, decision-making, and staying true to our principles.

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